6/03/1925: First Flight of the Goodyear Blimp

‍DALLAS — Today, in 1925, The first ‘Goodyear Blimp’ performed its maiden flight in Akron, Ohio. The then-unnamed airship was inflated with highly flammable hydrogen.

But on July 18, the volatile gas was changed to helium, making the airship the world’s first blimp to fly with the much safer gas. On that date, the ship was named ‘Pilgrim.’ The christening was done by Florence Lichfield, wife of Goodyear executive and blimp supporter Paul Litchfield.

Setting the Standard

Pilgrim had a length of 105.5ft and was powered by a single 3-cylinder Lawrence air-cooled radial (60hp) engine with a 4-bladed Reed push propeller. This gave it a maximum cruise speed of 50mph.

Its control car was built of a magnesium-coated steel-tube framework. This was covered with thin metal sheeting. The car was supported by an internal catenary curtain and cables, becoming the first to have this fitting. Pilgrim’s car support became the standard for future blimps.

Inside, engineers fitted the car with luxurious blue mohair velour upholstered seats for two passengers and a single pilot. It also had a portable mooring mast, allowing the blimp to land in any flat field of suitable size.

“Air Yachts”

Mr. Litchfield had planned for a series of “Air Yachts,” with Pilgrim being the first. These, Litchfield explained, would “serve a similar purpose for persons living inland as do yachts for those living along the seacoast.”

The groundbreaking airship would be retired on December 30, 1931. It had operated 4,765 flights, covering 94,974 miles over 2,880 hours, and carried 5,355 passengers. It was dismantled in 1932.

The featured image shows Goodyear’s first public relations blimp, pictured in 1935.